Budgeting beauty
The Punjab Assembly saw an interesting session the other day, as a member of the House suggested that beauty parlours be taxed. He pointed out that these constituted a luxury and made huge profits without paying taxes. Sadly, the Punjab Assembly kept up its tradition of chauvinism and a sniggering attitude towards its own women members, with even the deputy speaker using the beauty parlour issue as an excuse to direct some pointed remarks towards them. He was met with a strong, sensible response from a woman MPA who backed the suggestion that the beauty business be taxed.
While the matter was treated as a joke in the provincial assembly, the rapid proliferation of beauty parlours is a subject for more serious debate. We must ask ourselves why we have become so focused on the physical appearance of women - and to an extent even men? The fact today is that many young women today aspire towards careers in fashion, beauty and design. There is nothing wrong with this. But it is saddening that this should be the predominant trend in a nation that so greatly needs more teachers, nurses, health-care workers and other specialists. The trend is backed by the aggressive marketing of all kinds of beauty products. The message conveyed is that image counts over all else, including intellect or ability. While considering this matter in more depth, there is no harm in indeed imposing a tax on parlours. This would fit in with the broader budgetary mission of resource generation and bring into the tax net a sector of business that has grown rapidly over the past few years.
Posted on: 2-July-2008
Share:
Source: The News (http://www.thenews.com.pk)
While the matter was treated as a joke in the provincial assembly, the rapid proliferation of beauty parlours is a subject for more serious debate. We must ask ourselves why we have become so focused on the physical appearance of women - and to an extent even men? The fact today is that many young women today aspire towards careers in fashion, beauty and design. There is nothing wrong with this. But it is saddening that this should be the predominant trend in a nation that so greatly needs more teachers, nurses, health-care workers and other specialists. The trend is backed by the aggressive marketing of all kinds of beauty products. The message conveyed is that image counts over all else, including intellect or ability. While considering this matter in more depth, there is no harm in indeed imposing a tax on parlours. This would fit in with the broader budgetary mission of resource generation and bring into the tax net a sector of business that has grown rapidly over the past few years.
Posted on: 2-July-2008
Share:
Source: The News (http://www.thenews.com.pk)
Comments on this article
No comments yet.
Be the first to post comments on this article.
Be the first to post comments on this article.
Please leave comments below
More articles
Go to search articles (All articles)
- A president at large(11-August-2010)
- Sartor Resartus(13-March-2009)
- State of confusion(22-February-2009)
- Chinese peace initiative(31-December-2008)
- Daily Press Summary(6-December-2008)
- Sectarian curse(23-November-2008)
- Daily Press Summary(24-October-2008)
- DAILY PRESS SUMMARY(22-October-2008)
- Getting it right on China(21-October-2008)
- Safe Water Scheme(14-October-2008)
